Question

Fainting during or shortly after urination is common in men of advanced age. Although the phenomenon of micturition syncope is not well understood, it is known to be due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Explain why dehydration would be an additional risk factor for micturition syncope.

Answer 1

MICTURITION SYNCOPE

Micturition syncope is seen in elderly age men who have a larger prostate.

The meaning for micturition syncope is fainting during urination.

Phenomenon is not entirely clear but a low blood pressure and slow heart rate can be a cause for it.

When bladder is full, the blood pressure and heart rate both are high.

During or after urination, the bladder gets empty reducing the blood pressure and heart rate which in turn dilates the blood vessels in the legs.

This affects the blood supply to the brain causing to faint.

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN

To avoid episodes of syncope

Sit and urinate

Dont immediately get out of bed for urination

Urinate and go to bed

TRIGGERS or risk factors

Factors that trigger syncope

Hunger or fasting

Dehydration

Hot environment

DEHYDRATION

If a patient is dehydrated, the fluid in the blood will reduce, thereby reducing the blood pressure which makes it difficult for the nervous system to stabilize the blood pressure and causes fainting.

If a patient with MICTURITION SYNCOPE goes into DEHYDRATION, the patient is at a high risk of fainting due to reduced blood pressure from both the factors which will cause a reduction in supply of oxygen to brain.

Brain requires maximum oxygen for functioning.